Hells Island

Rating:
Summary: Move over Stephen King!
Review: Benjamin Farrows inherited Calmers Island from his father. He had never visited it and never even gave it a thought. However, when a chemical company offered to purchase it, Benjamin considered it. An old family friend, Hanley Rivers, warned Ben NOT to sell it at any price and to stay away from the island at all costs! Of course Ben demanded an explanation. That was how he learned the story about Everett Marlowe.

In England, 1619, Satan chose Marlowe to be one of his disciples. Marlowe was granted eternal life and powers through "the spike of Satan". Marlowe gathered twelve followers and began horrible acts of violence. They ended up on Hell's Island, known also as Calmers Island. Marlowe was to guard the entrance to the underworld which resided on the isle.

When Ben learned that a primitive voo-doo community dwelled on the island, he went to investigate and became obsessed with it. Soon Ben was forced, for the sake of his family's safety, to learn the secret of Calmers Island - FAST!

***** Be warned readers, this book contains Satan worshipers and scenes of torture. If you cannot handle such stories, back off now! Do not purchase! For those who love horror stories and movies, this book was written for you! Do not miss out!

As for me, I found myself appalled and engrossed at the same time! The author hooked me by the fifth sentence of page one. From then on, I had no choice but to go with the tide of words. The only time I came up for air was when I had turned the last page.

Move over, Stephen King! You now have some heavy competition! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: If you like fast paced mysteries, read this one.

Rating:
Summary: A Slow Start But a Heart Racing Ending!
Review: Walk into the home of the wealthy Farrows family as they discover that having it all is not always a good thing, especially when you own an island deemed to be the breeding ground of all that is evil.

When a chemical company makes an offer to buy Calmer's Island, Ben is willing to consider selling. But after his deceased father's friend, Hanley Rivers, warns him not to sell, Ben's curiosity kicks in and he decides to visit the island that is believed to be inhabited by voodoo practitioners and even the Devil himself.

There it all begins. The chemical company's offer takes second place in Ben's decisions as he tries to discover and then destroy the evil that has inhabited this island for centuries.

Ben's wife Laura seems to have her mind on the stable hand, Bill Chambers. Julie, their daughter, is totally mesmerized by David, who also happens to be Hanley's son. Hanley seems to know more than he should about the island. Through it all there is a search for the mysterious diary that could hold the last piece of the puzzle.

Join Ben on his journey of discovery - both of self and that of the darkness.

"Hell's Island" starts out rather slowly with detailed descriptions of the grandeur of the family this story centers around. The plot branches out and you are not always sure where you are going, but that ends up being part of the thrill of the ride as you venture to the dark worlds contained within.

William Hardy ties up all the loose ends quite nicely. Although this is his first novel, he does a wonderful job of weaving a story with interesting twists and turns and then ends it with all your curiosity satisfied.